Every MLB Team's Odds to Win the 2012 World Series

With the St. Louis Cardinals winning the 2011 World Series, it's now time to look ahead and see who the early favorites are to win it all in 2012.

While the Cardinals were certainly a solid team last season, not many people were actually expecting them to be crowned world champions. With that being said, everyone has a chance, no matter how small of one it is.

Here's a list of every team's chance of winning the World Series in 2012.

Cincinnati Reds

Going from a 91-win season in 2010, to a third place finish in the NL Central in 2011 is quite a lapse in just one season.

We all know the Reds can hit, and it'll only continue to get better with Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce still learning how to be consistent hitters.

But one thing the Reds must improve on is pitching, especially the starting rotation.

Johnny Cueto was impressive in his limited time during 2011, and Mike Leak was also a pleasant surprise. But outside of that, the Reds struggled to find consistent starts from anyone else in the rotation.

It's a reoccurring theme for the Reds in every offseason, but they must improve their pitching if they hope to contend in 2012.

Cleveland Indians

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The Cleveland Indians are a tough nut to crack.

Some say they played out of their heads in 2011, but an excellent bullpen with adequate starting pitching is a recipe for a contending team. However, the Indians' pitching could only carry the offense so far.

Travis Hafner was hurt periodically throughout the year, and a .239 batting average from Carlos Santana was a little underwhelming.

The good thing for the Indians is that their payroll in 2011 was roughly $49 million, so they'll have money to spend this offseason to improve their offense.

If Shin Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore, presuming the Indians pick up the option on him, can come back healthy and produce, who knows how good the Indians can be in 2012.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers were close to winning it all in 2011, and expect more of the same when 2012 rolls along, if not more.

When a team has a lineup like the Tigers, even a mediocre starting rotation could be backpacked into the postseason.

But with a starting rotation consisting of Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Matt Scherzer, the Tigers will be one of the early favorites to win it all in 2012.

One thing to watch in 2012 is how Verlander fairs through the entirety of the season. He has proven that he can pitch dominantly on a consistent basis, but 251 innings pitched in a season is a lot of mileage for a starting pitcher.

Florida Marlins

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Maybe a brand new baseball stadium is all the Florida Marlins need to get back into World Series contention? Or maybe a charismatic manager like Ozzie Guillen who can lead this young team and whip Hanley Ramirez back into shape is just what the doctor ordered?

While the chances that they even make the postseason in 2012 are slim, the Marlins young core on offense will be a force to reckon with in the near future.

Mike Stanton, Gaby Sanchez, Ramirez, Emilio Bonifacio and Logan Morrison are all on the right side of 30 years old, but its the pitching that is a little suspect.

With a healthy Josh Johnson coming back from injury, who knows what the future has in store for the Marlins in 2012. It's always the young and energized teams that tend to surprise everyone.

Los Angeles Angels

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Led by ace Jered Weaver, the Los Angeles Angels pitching was one of the best in baseball during the 2011 season. Dan Haren and Ervin Santana also had phenomenal years but it just wasn't enough to keep up with the Texas Rangers in the AL West.

Taking on the contract of Vernon Wells was a huge mistake, since it will likely impede the Angels from pursuing some of the top offensive free agents on the market.

However, there is a ton of potential on this team. Mark Trumbo had a fantastic rookie season and Mike Trout is ready to go if the Angels can find enough room in their outfield to put him.

Don't count out the Angels next season. If they are able to somehow sneak into the playoffs next year, they can do a lot of damage with Weaver, Haren and Santana pitching in succession.

Milwaukee Brewers

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It's the big question that everyone is asking: Will Prince Fielder still be a Milwaukee Brewer at the beginning of the 2012 season?

He has already publicly stated that he doesn't think so, but who knows what the meaning behind it truly was? Either way you look at it, the comment was ill-timed, since the Brewers were in the middle of the regular season and trying to prepare for the playoffs.

If Fielder does walk, there is enough offensive firepower currently in the Brewers lineup to somewhat temper the loss. However, 38 home runs and 120 RBI would be production hard to replace. How successful the Brewers are in 2012 will largely depend on Fielder's decision.

New York Mets

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With Carlos Beltran already gone and Jose Reyes potentially in the same boat, the Mets find themselves in a pickle this upcoming offseason.

With $55 million of the payroll dedicated to three players—Johan Santana, Jason Bay and David Wright—over a third of their overall payroll will be consumed by players who are as unpredictable as they come.

Jason Bay hasn't earned a dime of his four-year, $66 million contract. Johan Santana was hurt all of 2011. And David Wright can't seem to find a way to stay on the field the entire season.

Having Ike Davis back from injury should help the offense that could potentially lose two of its best hitters from 2011, but it's still the pitching that will impede the Mets from winning it all in 2012.

Philadelphia Phillies

On paper, the Philadelphia Phillies could be the best team in MLB. However, a list of names does not decide who the World Series champion is.

Since the Phillies won it all in 2008, they have made it to the postseason every season, but have somehow found a way to play worse every year despite the great additions to the roster.

In 2009, they lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. In 2010, they lost to the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS. In 2011, they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.

See the trend?

The Phillies will make the postseason and they will be one of the favorites to win it all again. However, seeing the Phillies fail to win it year after year makes you wonder if the Phillies are unable to stomach the high expectations?

With players like Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Chase Utley on the roster, one would think not, but that certainly hasn't looked to be the case as of late.

Washington Nationals

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There is talent on the Washington Nationals roster.

Michael Morse had a tremendous year in 2011, and Ryan Zimmerman is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball.

Their bullpen has one of the best one-two punches in Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen. And don't forget about players like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper who have yet to establish themselves in the league.

The Nationals are a young team, but don't be surprised to see them make some noise in 2012.